Most important aspect of a bassist?
 

As a twist on the bass thread it made me think of this. What is the one common denominator that everyone needs in a bassist? For me I guess it is timing.

Groove...it's related to timing but a bit different.

Being a bassist as opposed to a bass player in most band settings

to flow like water is my main concern. i am also obsessed with subtle nuances when tone, volume, and touch are evaluated. if a bass player has that Swag,.. i make it a point to congratulate that person!

IMO,.. there are players that have it and know it. then there are those that are seaching for it and know what it is. then others who don't have a clue and may never.
stay humble no matter how great you think you are, just because...

It depends. Death metal bassists don't really need groove, in the traditional sense of the word. For me, you have to know what style you're playing, and play it how it should be played. :)

Sex Appeal

Hands.

IMHO its rhythm in the pocket. I think being called 'solid' is the ultimate compliment.

Timing here too

A properly tuned instrument, followed by groove, timing, pocket, whatever you want to call that ineffable quality of partnering with a drummer to propel the music (in any genre) rhythmically forward. After that, a codpiece.

timing, groove are essential, yes. but i think the most important part of being a bass player is to give life to the music. to drive the tune and hold the band together. both rhythmically and harmonically.

Our job is twofold, and to denigrate one in favor of the other is wrong. We need to connect the rhythmic aspect of the music with the harmonic/ melodic aspect AND define the harmony. Putting both together is how we create flow and push the music.

Groove is only part of the job.

John

GROOVE

Ownership of bass, bass amp.

Guy who shows up 95% of the time . . Thanks, Woody Allen.

Player that syncs with and compliments the drummer's output. Because if the bass and drums are together it's a pretty good band.

All of those things are very important, but insignificant compaired to you have to be able to make the cool BASS FACE!!
Similar to the drummer face but obviously cooler.

Timing is also very important with this, for example, when you slide from G to the higher octave on the same string, classic bass face time.

I like a lot of what's above


patience/ awareness- do you have the maturity vision and discipline required to truly harness the power and responsibility of low notes

Nailing the root on the one. Everything else is optional.

Timing!

Not only to be there on the beat but to fill in the melodic spaces that guitars leave out. We don't play melodies we fill in where melodies leave off. We make music.

99 time out of a 100, it's groove. The other time, it's making those idiots sound like they're in the same room.